We'd all love to see ourselves as people who are anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, anti-transphobic, etc. But what does it mean to be an "ally?" As our friends from Stonewall Youth pointed out, "ally" is a name others use to describe us once we've earned it through our actions and behaviors (it's not something we can necessarily declare about ourselves: ie, "I'm a straight ally!") In other words, allyship is about walking the walk, and not caring about whether or not we get credit or thanks for it.

Also on our students' wishlists:Curricula that is more inclusive of a variety of gender identities and sexual orientationsMore staff/faculty training on gender identity issues: it sends a positive message to students when they know faculty/staff took the time to educate themelves about their experiencesMore diversity within ALL programs

Stonewall Youth is a community organization that serves LGBTQI people under 21 in the Olympia area. One of their many fantastic services is to host a Speakers Bureau--a panel of incredibly knowledgable, enthusiastic and passionate students who educated and raise awareness about their own experiences as well as the experiences of other LGBTQI people. We were fortunate to host a Speakers' Bureau training last Tuesday. Among the many topics covered were:

Microaggressions

Glossary of terms commonly used in discussing LGBTQI issues

The gender binary: is gender all about being "male" or "female"? Hint: it isn't.

Intersections of oppression: why you can't navigate gender in the classroom if you're not also navigating race, class, religion, ability and more!

The allyship checklist: One gem: "ally" isn't an identity. It's an action.

Support Skills brainstorm: how do students want to be supported by faculty and staff? What do faculty and staff wish they knew more about?

If you were fortunate enough to see Sean Arce speak on our campus last week, maybe you agree with me that being with him is truly being in the presence of greatness. I meet a lot of great, committed, dedicated, hard-working people...but it is rare to meet someone who has truly sacrificed so much: his job, time with his family--to speak truth to power.

He spoke about his experiences in Arizona at the hands of the Tea Party-controlled Arizona state government. The governor, Attorney General, school board superintendent, and legislature have all voted to ban ethnic studies from the state. By their definition, ethnic studies consist of any curriculum which:a) Promote overthrowing the U.S. government;b) Promote resentment towards a race or class of people;c) Are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic race; andd) Advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.

Mr. Horne showed the picture below which is on a postcard. The picture is of Texas Rangers who have just lynched Mexicans.

Mr. Horne asked Mr. Arce, "Don't you think this picture would promote resentment toward whites?"Mr. Arce replied, "I can't tell you what it promotes. What I can tell you is that this is part of American history."

Mr. Arce teaches students about the traditions and values of the Mayans and Aztecs, who populated their state and region long before the United States existed. He teaches them about Quetzalcoatl, an ancient deity who represents in part the value indigenous people traditionally placed on wisdom and learning. He talked about the wealth of Latino communities, who are usually stereotyped as poverty-stricken and dependent: the wealth of family connection, of survival skills, of hard work, and of hope for their children.

We were fortunate to host Mr. Arce's visit! He speaks again at the Latino Youth Summit on November 20 on the campus of the Evergreen State College.